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HATE CRIMES AND RELIGIOUS BROADCASTING
The CRTC (Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications
Commission), which currently consists of 11 appointed members
(all appointed under the former Liberal government), has always
detested single faith broadcasting. In fact, over the years,
it has repeatedly rejected the applications for licenses by
single faith broadcasters, claiming that public air space
should not be allocated to special interest groups. Only very
reluctantly and only under intense political pressure, has
it given its grudging approval to a few single faith broadcasters,
such as the Miracle Channel in Lethbridge in 1994, and Crossroads
Christian Communications in 1997.
Meanwhile, the CRTC has happily licensed the
special interest Playboy Channel in 1996 and the homosexual
channel, Pride Vision in 2000. To explain its hypocrisy, the
CRTC Commissioners stated that granting licenses to these
latter special interest groups was based on Canada's recognition
of "diversity". The truth is that Canadian broadcasting
is open to diversity only if the broadcasters have a left
of centre or liberal perspective: "diversity", due
to a conservative, perspective is not worthy of recognition.
One of the single faith broadcasters to which
the CRTC has repeatedly denied a license is the US based conservative
Catholic Network, Mother Angelica's Eternal Word Television
Network (EWTN). This network has been safely beaming its programmes
around the world into 118 million homes in 127 countries without
anyone being overcome by shock due to the contents of its
programmes. Still, the CRTC has deemed EWTN too risky for
Canadian eyes and ears.
However, finally, under pressure, in September
of 2001, the CRTC allowed EWTN to be shown on Rogers Cable
and satellite in Canada.
This was a breakthrough for EWTN. However,
the difficulty it experienced in acquiring its license to
broadcast in Canada has made the network extremely wary of
Canada and the CRTC, with its obvious preference for politically
correct content.
Consequently, EWTN was especially concerned
and alarmed when the amendments to the Criminal Code
prohibiting "hate" crimes on the basis of sexual
orientation were passed in 2004.
This amendment was introduced by former NDP M.P., Svend Robinson,
and was supported by the Liberal government. Unfortunately
"hate" is not defined in this section of the Code
and, therefore, no one knows exactly what constitutes a "hate"
crime. "Sexual orientation" is not defined in this
provision either, so we don't know what that expression entails.
Does it include pedophilia and bestiality, so that they are
protected under the "hate" propaganda provisions
as well? In view of the uncertainty, EWTN has steered a wide
berth around homosexual issues in its programming aired in
Canada and Europe.
This caution arose when EWTN received a complaint,
filed in the United Kingdom (UK) in September 2005, in connection
with an episode of ETWN's "Life on the Rocks" programme
when it dealt with homosexuality. Although EWTN successfully
defended itself in this UK case, the experience left it nervous
about all episodes dealing with homosexuality.
On March 2, 2006, EWTN's programme "Life
on the Rocks" featured former homosexual Stephen Bennett
and his wife, Irene, with whom he is happily married and with
whom he is the father of two children. The programme was to
cover the subject of same-sex attraction. Although the programme
was advertised in Canada, it was not aired as promised. According
to EWTN's Vice President, Scott Hults, the programme was pulled
from EWTN's Canadian and European feeds because of the network's
"sensitivity" to Canada's "needs" which,
regretfully, appears to mean that it needs to be politically
correct on the homosexual issue.
This is a prime example of how the amendment
to the hate crime provision in the Criminal Code on sexual
orientation is stifling free speech. The mere existence of
this provision means that even without charges ever being
laid, debate is stifled. That is, the mere existence of the
provision is sufficient to close down discussion on the homosexual
issue. This is disturbing and highly unacceptable in a democracy.
Please write to the following, to request
that the hate crime provision in the Criminal Code be amended
to delete the controversial protection which protects only
certain designated groups, not others, in Canada. That is,
either the hate propaganda provision should protect all Canadians,
or the entire hate propaganda provision in the Criminal Code
should be totally deleted. As it is currently written, the
hate propaganda provision is a discriminatory provision, which
provides special protection to only a few select groups of
Canadians, but not to everyone.
Please write to:
The Right Hon. Stephen Harper
Prime Minister of Canada
Langevin Building 80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0A2
Hon Victor Toews, P.C. M.P.
Minister of Justice
Justice Canada
East Memorial Building, 4th floor 284 Wellington Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0H8
Your MP
c/o House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6
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